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Hardcore remixed
Slightly quicker, Slightly sharper, and easy to drive fast
And then there was one.
The Civic Type-R that arrived in 2001 surprised everyone with its weird looks and it’s 16k price. It certainly made the Ford Focus RS that followed seem less remarkable then it otherwise would have. Now, two years on, the final Focus RS, model number 4525, has rolled of Fords Saarlouis production line in Germany, leaving the Type-R as Britain’s only truly hardcore hot hatch.
But Honda is not being complacent about momentarily having the field to it self. For 2004 the Civic range has been updated getting in ahead of the arrival of the new VW Golf, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Mazda 3.
Most obvious change is a more purposeful stare courtesy of new headlamps incorporating projector lenses. On top of the new front bumper, which integrates better with the rest of the bodykit, sits a grille unique to the Type-R, adorned with a gigantic Honda Badge. New wing mirrors incorporate an indicator strip and new rear lights have a translucent section running through them.
The Civic is more striking as a result of the changes, although it’s still slightly awkward looking-function rather then stylish.
The cabin comes in new colour combinations but has the same grippy buckets. The titanium gearknob remains perfectly positioned and the driving position is still compromised by the steering wheels’ lack of adjustment.
There has also been a minor mechanical overhaul. There’s a new variable-ratio steering rack, revised settings for the roll bar, stiffer suspension mounting points, and slightly tweaked dampers and suspension.
There’s a lighter flywheel and clutch, which is enough to cut the 0-60mph time by 0.2 of a second. Increased under-car sound deadening reduces the din at motorway speeds. The throttle action seems smoother and the clutch is more progressive-an improvement over the jerky action of the old system, particularly around town.
The changes all improve on what was already a Giant Test-wining hot hatch package (March’03).
The 1990cc I-VTEC lump which is fantastically responsive at all speeds and benign around town, changes character above 6000 rpm when drone becomes a howl as the cam profile alters and the Civic makes its NSX supercar ancestry obvious. Better still is the 6-speed gearbox. Changes are incredibly quick and precise, the ‘box possessing a wonderfully mechanical feel to it that will lead to some unnecessary swapping of cogs, just for the hell of it.
The main area that would have been benefited from more attention is the steering, which remains frustratingly numb and unrewarding, its limits hard to judge. A shame, as there is plenty of grip on offer. The revised suspension tries hard to soak up bumps rather then skip over them as of old. The set-up is firm but not uncomfortably so, working to make poorly surfaced B-roads less intimidating, although the suspension travel remains on the short side, making airborne manoeuvres a regular occurrence.
The torque steer that inevitably results from channelling 197bhp through the front wheels is less noticeable then you would expect. Boot the throttle from a standstill and the steering wheel will twitch a little but is nowhere near the same extent as the Focus RS. Instead the 205/45 R17 tyres maintain their grip on the road, in the dry at least.
So with the focus RS now a thing of the past, what are the hot hatch buyers missing out on? Is the new and improved Civic lacking in any important area?
Certainly the Ford’s steering keeps you informed about every little movement of the front wheels in a way that Honda’s doesn’t. The Focus also has the better chassis and more grip through corners, and is better balanced at speed.
But then the Honda feels more user friendly then the Ford. The clutch is lighter, the gearbox more precise and the power delivery less intimidating. Despite the VTEC kick, the Civic is far smoother as you up the pace, whereas the Fords turbo coming in brutally at 3000rpm.
Which is what the RS is all about. It’s a niche product, whereas the Civic is designed to be enjoyed by the border market. Where the Civic flatters, the RS is a handful.
Most drivers could get 95% out of the Honda instantly; the Focus takes time to get to know and is the more rewarding car as a result.
But then we’re comparing it to a car costing nearly 25% less, which is one reason why the civic is such a phenomenal product. To be compared to a car in a class above is one thing, to be competitive is another. For the money nothing touches the Civic, and with the Focus RS now sadly departed it has become the finest hot hatch on the market
Type R Rating 5/5
Date de création : 25/01/2004 @ 17:25
Dernière modification : 25/01/2004 @ 17:25
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